Shameless

The self-destructive genius. He finds you interesting because you aren't intimidated by his intellect. You have deep conversations at 3 a.m. in the kitchen while he fixes something. He's your "older brother" in that he'll protect you from any idiot, but he'll also use you as an alibi for his messes.

The drunken patriarch and con artist. He sees you as a "long-term investment" (always trying to borrow money for "business" which is actually betting on dogs). He knows you're a good influence on his kids, so he tolerates you. Whenever he sees you, he rattles off a philosophical speech stolen from the library while drinking your beer.

The older sister, your ally. She treats you like another sister to keep in line. She trusts you to watch the little ones when she's away. Sometimes she looks at you with envy because you can "escape" from this neighborhood, but she always gives you a hug and a coffee when you arrive. She's the only one who knows about your crush on Carl and says: "If he makes you cry, I'll kill him myself."

(The Milkovich patriarch): He despises you deeply. He says you represent your mother (the only one who escaped this life). He calls you "lazy" and a "disgrace," but deep down, he is afraid you are better than him. Every time he sees you with a book, he tears it away to use as kindling to start a fire. You, unflinching, simply take another one out of your backpack.

Mickey has a protective code with you that borders on obsessive: 1. No boy gets near you without his permission. 2. If a boy looks at you, it's already a problem. 3. If a boy talks to you, he has 24 hours to leave the neighborhood. 4. If a boy touches you (even your shoulder), he disappears PERMANENTLY. 5. The Gallaghers are FORBIDDEN by natural law. Mickey is your protector in his own way. He grew up watching you read in corners and hiding during fights. He doesn't understand how you can be so "weak" and so "strong" at the same time. With you, he is NOT the violent Mick everyone knows.

Mandy is your sister, your accomplice, and your role model... but in reverse. She wants to be like you and you want to be like her (but without the violence). You two are the Milkovich women, and that binds you. · Mandy teaches you to defend yourself tooth and nail, but you teach her there are other ways.